Escape Room: Tournament of Champions – Film Review

Posted on July 16, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Adam Robitel

Starring: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Indya Moore, Holland Roden, Thomas Cocquerel and Carlito Olivero

Rating: 3.5/5

It’s almost a given at this point that if a horror film makes money, even if there is no need, there will be a sequel. Escape Room didn’t even play into the idea that it was a stand-alone film. The final minutes set up a sequel pretty well, although it meant that there wasn’t much pay-off, which was a let-down. The ending is just essentially to be continued… And that’s exactly where Escape Room: Tournament of Champions starts, just a few weeks after the events of the first film without any set up we are back in the action. It starts running and doesn’t slow down to a walk once through it’s short running time.

Tournament of Champions is a noticeably short film, it’s something like 80 minutes when you take off the credits, and to pad it out they do add some moments that could be cut, most notably the opening catch-up of the first film. It pretty much replays the main plot points, and it goes on for a while, once that’s over we are with Zoe (Taylor Russel, Waves, Words on Bathroom Walls) in a therapy session as she relives some of the moments of the first film. It feels that they made the film, realised that it was too short for a cinema release so added a recap on, even though there’s a recap in the film itself. It’s a silly way to start the film, especially as there isn’t an impenetrable wall of plot to understand, it’s pretty straight forward and I’m pretty sure new-commers won’t take long to catch up.

The ending of the first one is also kind of ignored, the plane puzzle that the end sets up, isn’t used in this one. Zoe doesn’t fly to New York, instead she and Ben drive. Once they get into the Big Apple they find the Minos building is abandoned and they aren’t able to get in. After Zoe’s locket is stolen by a homeless guy, they chase him down and end up stuck on a subway train. What they don’t realise is that everyone else on the train has also survived previous Escape Rooms set by the company Minos who were behind the events of the first one. It’s not long before they realise they are stuck in another series of puzzles, and again the stakes are life and death.

Tournament of Champions is a really decent sequel to the first one. Tonally it feels identical, if you liked the first one chances are you’re going to enjoy this one. The puzzles are tense and creative, the set pieces are well thought out and designed. The characters are all great, although you don’t get as much character building of the newcomers, instead it’s a story about Zoe and Ben. The pacing is great, and the film rolls along without any slow moments. It even sets up another sequel, with a better pay-off than the first film. The third film feels well deserved as the credits start to roll, let’s hope it does well enough at the pandemic box office.

Sadly, this film isn’t as tight as the first one. There are some jokes that don’t land and seem out of place. It doesn’t live up to what looks like a great set piece with the plane puzzle the first one teased us with. We still don’t know who is behind Minos, the silhouette on the screen at the end of the first one. It’s also not really explained why all the victors from the previous escape rooms are on the train, it’s not even brought up. Ben does ask how they all survived, since he was nearly killed in the first film, they don’t really explain it and try to sweep it away, thinking that acknowledging it is enough. The hangman puzzle at the beginning is also very hectic, it would be nice to get a longer look at the screen to see the puzzle to try and work it our with them.

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is more of the first one. This is in no way a bad thing, because the first one is great. Sadly, it doesn’t quite live up. It’s still an exciting thrill ride and a well-made film. Hopefully the third one can keep this up. 

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Top 50 Films – Part 2

Posted on July 16, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

We’re back for the next five ‘random’ films in my top 50. If you missed last week, catch up HERE

I’ve grouped these up into 10 groups of 5. They are linked more by theme than anything else, apart from the last 2 weeks, which will be tier 2 and tier 1. The rest could be in any order at all. This weeks group is animated films. 

Emperor’s New Groove

I didn’t want to see this one when it first came out. I don’t know why, I just didn’t want to. Funnily enough I’ve come across others that thought the same and then, like me, when they ended up seeing it, they loved it. This is one of my favourite Disney films, almost my favourite of all time. It’s funny and quirky in a way that Disney hasn’t dared to be before or since. It breaks the 4th wall constantly, talking directly to the audience. Kuzco stops the plot to scribble on the screen. He judges the other characters while narrating. There are so many quotable lines in this one. 

Frozen

I feel that Frozen was so well loved when it first came out, that people dismiss it now. I’ve met several people, of all ages, that claim it’s one of the worst Disney films. They’re wrong. It’s an unbelievably beautifully animated film. The Ice castle is one of the most stunning pieces of animation to exist. The music is great, the story is strong and the characters are fantastic. I wasn’t sure whether to include Frozen 1 or 2 here. I love them both, seeing the 2nd one twice in the cinemas within a week of it coming out. The final sequences in number 2 are breathtakingly beautiful. I think the first one is better overall, but either could be here.

Spirited Away

This was the first non-western animated film that I saw. My mum borrowed it from the library, I think because it won an Oscar, I’m not 100% sure if that was why or she had heard good things elsewhere. This is a masterpiece of art. Everything in this film is amazing. The story, the animation, the music is captivating. Everything about this is great. I’ve watched this a few times now, and always enjoy it. There is something about Ghibli films that are just special and this is close to being the best of the bunch.  

Akira

Akira is a film that messes with your mind. The first hour and a half or so are pretty great. It’s haunting, scary, powerful and compelling and then the finale just takes a step of the deep end and gets weird in the best way possible. This is a film that I loved so much I wanted to watch it again straight away. I first saw it when I was in my first year at uni and thought it was pretty great. I then read the manga, which is easily one of the best manga series ever written. Every time I’ve watched Akira I’ve enjoyed it more and more. I can happily watch this any day of the year. Last year I got to see the new 4K transfer at the cinema in IMAX, which is one of the best trips to the cinema I’ve ever had. It was the first time I’ve seen one of my favourites on the big screen, years after it originally came out. It looked and sounded perfect.

Whisper of the Heart

In my mind there are 2 types of Ghibli films, one is their fantastical adventure films like Spirited Away and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. The other type is a slice of life grounded stories, like Ocean Waves and From up on Poppy Hill. I prefer these types. They are more emotional and captivating. My favourite of the bunch is Whisper of the Heart. This is the story of one summer, where Shizuku finds that all the books she borrows from the library have been borrowed by the same person. It’s a coming of age story that is full of emotion and love. This is a brilliant film and one of the best that Ghibli have ever put out.    

Have you seen any of the films I’ve mentioned? Love them? Hate them? Leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks for reading, and until next time,

Ashley

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Monster – Film Review

Posted on July 15, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Patty Jenkins

Starring: Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci

Rating: ★★★★

Almost 15 years before Wonder Woman, Patty Jenkins wrote and directed Monster in 2003. The film found critical and commercial acclaim and Charlize Theron won best actress at that year’s Oscars (alongside an enormous list of awards for Theron and the film). Jenkins’ adapted the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer from the late 80s/early 90s. There’s some dramatic embellishment, which is to be expected from any film based on a true story and it should be noted that some people who knew Wuornos in real life have criticised it for making her too sympathetic and painting her victims as villains. That aside, Patty Jenkins created one of the most compelling and horrific stories that show how society fails people and how circumstances can make people do horrendous things.

Monster tells the story of Wuornos (Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road, Prometheus) in a linear fashion, starting just before she meets the semi-fictional Selby (Chrstina Ricci, The Adams Family, Sleep Hollow). The backstory is told mostly through voice overs while the events play out in front of us, letting us see the main events while listening to what lead up to it (there is a prequel due out later this year that is going to go into the early life of Wuornos, not that it’s needed in anyway). Through this we are shown the tragic story of how life didn’t give Wuornos a chance. She was forced into prostitution to live from an early age and when she does try to leave that life behind, those who can offer he help, don’t. She’s turned down from jobs as if she’s worthless, the police abuse their power and eventually she turns back to a life she would never be able to leave behind.

The narrative is compelling and well crafted, there isn’t one moment that feels unnecessary or slow. Patty Jenkins turns a serial killer into an understandable and sympathetic character, who you want to root for even though you know she is capable of murder and doesn’t shy away from it. Her relationship with Shelby is sweet and affectionately shown, especially at the beginning. Neither has had a good life, Shelby is from a Christian family who believe she has ‘chosen a gay life’. You want them to run away together and at one point this feels like it could turn into a pure love story. Reality quickly dashes that away and darkness fills their lives.

The visuals in this film are bleak and downbeat. Everything is well designed, from the muted colours that fill every scene to the mould growing on the ceiling in their apartment. It’s oppressive and foreboding. Just from looking at any frame from this film, you can tell this isn’t going to have a happy ending. It’s a dark film that uses it’s muted colours to emphasise the tragedy that you’re watching.

The performances are simply breath-taking. Well respected film critic Roger Egbert said that Theron’s performance is one of the best in the history of cinema, and there isn’t a better way to describe it. Through a nuanced and very specific performance she brings so much sympathy and relatability to Wuornos. She commands the screen, and you can feel the weight of her past and actions in every moment. Ricci is also fantastic as the very naïve and unsure Selby. She feels like someone who has spent so long trying to be someone she’s not, that she’s forgotten who she really is. There is one scene where she goes to a bar alone, only to take over her partner’s personality telling the story of the failed job interview that Wuornos had earlier in the film. Her performance is full of uncertainty. The scene towards the beginning at the roller skating arena, is powerful and heart breaking, you want them to succeed and have a happy life so much, but you know what’s coming. Even if you don’t know the story before you watch it, you can tell through the visuals and opening sequences that they aren’t going to get the fairy-tale ending.

While it may embellish the truth, Monster effectively shows how a troubled person can be lead down a path that gives no forgiveness. It’s a heart breaking, depressing tale of love, death and alienation. Monster received a lot of praise when it came out and it couldn’t be more deserving of it. This is a powerful story that is presented masterfully by one of the best directors of our time and a career defining performance from Theron.

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Escape Room (2019) – Film Review

Posted on July 15, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Adam Robitel

Starring: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis and Tyler Labine

Rating: ★★★★

After seeing a trailer for Escape Room 2, I decided to seek out the first one from 2019. I’d never even heard of it before. When searching for it, I found there isn’t just one film called Escape Room, there’s three. One that was released in 2017, one in 2018 and then the one I was looking for in 2019. Somehow there are 3 completely unrelated films from consecutive years. To make matters even more confusing, the Cineworld app said that the new one is a sequel to the 2017 version. The only reason I didn’t end up watching that one is because the Cineworld listing said some of the stars from the first one are reappearing in the sequel and listed them, they didn’t show on the Amazon listing for the 2017 but did for the 2019 version. It’s confusing as hell and someone during production should have changed the title or given it a subtitle, or something to differentiate it from the others. I don’t like starting a review like this, but it is stupid that 3 films share the same title and were released so close together.

So we are all on the same page, this is a review for the 2019 film directed by Adam Robitel (Insidious: The Lost Key) and the one that has a sequel out, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, on Friday.

Now that’s out of the way, Escape Room is pretty great film. It’s dark, tense and has stunning visuals. Adam Robitel directs an excellent and suspenseful horror film. The sequences build perfectly with terror, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It’s surprising that a film that’s inspired by escape rooms is this good. It’s genuinely exciting and thrilling for the entire run time. There isn’t a dull moment, the whole film flies by.

The story is centred around a group of people who are all gifted a puzzle box, that once completed invites them to an escape room where one person will win $10,000. Each of them have a traumatic past and are struggling to deal with what’s happened. It’s not long before they realise that the escape room is designed specifically to play on their past traumas and that the stakes for this game are literally life and death.

The cast are all great. Everyone feels like distinct characters that you quickly start to care for and want them to succeed. Even though they all have flaws, they are still likable enough to make the tense time limits of each puzzle that much scarier. You’ll be on the edge of your seat willing them to survive each puzzle room.

Escape Room feels like a well-polished film. Every set looks great and the effects are fantastic. Somehow Robitel has managed to capture the excitement of an escape room and combine it with the terror of Saw. It’s not extreme in the horror or gore, for the most part you don’t see any deaths on screen. It’s a very compelling and entertaining thrill ride of a film, however, the plot points do feel obvious, it does feel like parts of this have been done before and it’s a shame that the ending swaps out any real pay-off to set up a sequel. Regardless this is a really good 90ish minute watch and the second one has a lot to live up to.

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Phenomena – Film Review

Posted on July 14, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Dario Argento

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasance, Daria Nicolodi, Dalila Di Lazzaro and Patrick Bauchau

Rating: ★★½

Dario Argento is a master of horror. The Italian director, who hit his peak in the late 70s and early 80s, is responsible for classics such as Suspiria (1977), Deep Red (1975) and Tenebrae (1982). His films are haunting and unhinged with unforgettable moments of true terror. He was even a script supervisor on George A Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead. In 1985 he directed Phenomena, starring a pre-Labyrinth Jennifer Connelly, a story of a serial killer and a girl who can talk to insects.

Phenomena starts with a girl on a school trip, who misses her bus and ends up alone in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country. She tries to find someone to help and stumbles across a house. This may sound like a trope of horror, but instead of a run-down shack – think Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Wrong Turn – she finds a pristine and well looked after home. The plants hanging from the window look nice and neat. Everything about the house is inviting and you aren’t screaming at her to run away or thinking she’s stupid for obviously walking into her death. It’s only through quick cuts to chains breaking away from a wall that we even get the impression that something bad is about to happen. The opening is tense and well made. It gives high hopes to the rest of the film.

We then meet the main character Jennifer Corvino, played by Connelly. She has been sent to a Swiss school for girls. On her first night, she sleepwalks through the school and ends up witnessing the serial killer butcher one of their victims. While you watch the chase, Flash of the Blade by Iron Maiden is playing, pretty much stopping any true horror to make way for great metal music. The soundtrack is great, mixing a score by Goblin (who also scored Dawn of the Dead) with metal music of the time. Sadly, it can detract from the horror happening on screen. It’s just not as scary when loud and in your face metal music is playing.

Phenomena feels like an incredibly long film, and it gets very boring at points. It’s just under 2 hours, but loses steam just over half way through, so it feels a lot longer. The opening hour or so is great. It’s a great mixture of tension and horror with an interesting and compelling plot. It just can’t keep it up though and really slows down in the second half. The final 15 minutes are great and almost make up for the slow build-up, but it’s not enough. At points it’s very hard to stay engaged with the story and it loses any kind of terror that it has built up. There is also  lot of awkward lines of dialogue and questionable acting. This can be chalked up to it being an Italian film with American actors, who’s lines would be dubbed into Italian but it is still really hard to get invested into it.

As a side note, the version that I watched is the uncut version. It includes the original English voice track, except for scenes that were cut from the international release where the voice track is missing. For those sections it seamlessly moves into Italian with subtitles. It’s done so well that it’s barely noticeable, even though you go from listening to reading. It’s actually interesting to see what didn’t make it to the international release.

One of the biggest highlights of the film is the monkey that acts as Donald Pleasance’s assistant. His role in the film is memorable and stands out. There’s one section where the monkey is trapped outside a house and is desperate to get in to save someone, it’s incredibly well done and the monkey’s performance feels more believable than most of the other actors on screen. You can feel how sad he is.

For the most part Phenomena is pretty tame. The violence and gore is underplayed, adding to the suspense. The killings aren’t very brutal. It’s only in the last section where everything is ramped up. There’s a vomiting scene that will make you gag and a maggot pool that makes you want to throw up. It’s eye watering to watch and works so well because of how understated everything is up to that point.

Phenomena is so close to being a genuine classic. The sad thing about this is that despite so much potential, it gets really boring in the second half and the acting is so bad that it stops this from being something worth watching. There is a version that was released internationally originally that has about 25 minutes cut out, maybe this one would be better, but judging from reviews of the time it isn’t.

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